- The Xcel Energy Arena might be the most beautiful arena I've ever visited. It is state of the art all the way around and the staff is the most friendly and efficient bunch I've ever encountered.
- Jason Pominville's goal at 4:12 of the first looked like a bit of a kick, but the review only took a few seconds and was upheld. Michael Russo and I were discussing that the goal likely would not have counted last year. I saw a slight kicking motion. Call me biased.
- Both teams are in the exact same position in their respective conferences, 4 points out of a wild card spot. While Minnesota is obviously hockey crazy, it would be great for the league for not only both of these teams to make the postseason, but also do some damage.
- Tomas Kopecky was scratched again for the second straight game. While head coach Gerard Gallant will never throw one of his players under the bus, Kopecky's bad penalty late in the game against Nashville resulted in the Predator's game-tying goal and eventual win in the shootout. But without looking too much into that, there is little reason to tinker with a lineup that put up 6 goals down a man against Anaheim. However, you'd have to think that Kopecky is one of the few players that is on the block with the surplus of bodies.
- Brandon Pirri can't catch a break. Coach Gallant said at morning skate he'd be gone for 2 weeks but didn't seem overly concerned about him returning 100%. When he gets going he is one of the more talented Panthers. He is definitely a shoot-first guy and has the ability to aim his shots. He makes the Panthers better, and his return will be right around the trade deadline. The good news is it's not another concussion, which could shut him down for the year. The bad news is the injury happened on a hit from Getzlaf that seemed harmless. Pirri certainly isn't the biggest guy, but obviously toughness will be key to his longevity. But is his injury history worrisome enough to not deal someone else to maintain depth just in case?
- The Panthers looked to turn the tide a bit towards the end of the first period, but they are still down 1-0. After Pominville was left open for an easy goal to open the scoring, GM Dale Tallon was visibly steaming. No matter what, Panther fans have to love his passion for this team and how he wears his heart on his sleeve.
- After giving up yet another power play goal, the Panthers penalty kill unit is faltering just when the troublesome power play has perked up. The ying and yang of the season continues for this team still trying to put it all together.
- Nick Bjugstad's tally over the left shoulder of Dubnyk was a thing of beauty with almost no angle to shoot from. That isn't the first time Bjugstad scored such a goal, and it might start becoming part of the scouting report on him. He's deadly accurate from the goal line. With 160 friends and family in the seats it was great to see him come through for Mr. Minnesota's biggest fans.
- Aleksander Barkov's tripping penalty at 5:36 of the third while the Panthers were on a double minor power play was the type of untimely penalty the Panthers keep taking in tight games. Down 2-1 with a golden chance to pull even then becomes a 4 on 4 for practically the remaining of the original penalties. Not good for business.
- The Panthers have played a relatively decent game after their poor start. But the power play goal given up looms large with 8 minutes to go.
- Even with a golden chance of 6-4 hockey with just over a minute left, the Panthers couldn't generate any good scoring chances to tie the game up and earn at least a point. As both Gallant and Bjugstad said after the game, the energy level just wasn't up to standard tonight. This 2-1 loss is a tough pill to swallow.
- Dmitry Kulikov injured his right leg towards the end of regulation and was still in the training room as the media left the locker room. I did not get the sense that his injury is minor, but we'll see if he laces them up tomorrow for a tough game against Dallas.
- Roberto Luongo's struggles against the Wild in the Xcel Energy Center continue. While he made 21 saves, the loss brings his overall record to 3-10-3 with a 3.33 GAA and a .880 SV% in 16 starts in Minnesota.
- Neither Gallant or the players felt they played terribly necessarily, but they certainly didn't work hard enough for 60 minutes to create any breaks. When facing a red hot goaltender like Devan Dubnyk the kitchen sink needs to be thrown at the net. The urgency to do that was lacking tonight. Dubnyk is now 9-1-1 with a 1.48 GAA and a .943 SV%, four shutouts and one assist in his 12 games with the Wild.
-The game in Dallas becomes more crucial as the Cats chase for that last wild card spot. We shall see tomorrow if the squad is 100% healthy.